The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1887-02-01
The Court.

The Court of General Sessions for
Abheville County was convened y~nster-
gay morning at 10 o'clock, Judge Fraser
presiding; Solicitor Orr was ut his post.
The grand jury was organized with
fifteen members. Mr.. q. A. Douglass
was chosen foreman. Mr.. d. Marion
Carlisle was excused from Attendance
upon this term of the court on account
oi having seriously injured his only leg.
A number Of witnesses were sworn
upon a number Of Indictments. The
Judge. in charging the grand jury rcla-
tive to their duties, said that while they
had SUPERVISION ovcr the affairs of The
whole county, they were especially the
right arm of the Court of General SEES
sionA, for without their consent no man
could be tried tor any crime. ilG knew
sr n%oti,ing special in the county deServ
IL. I.sir attention, unless it WAS to look
inlo the expenditure Of Il certain sum
~ hich had been authorized by IN act OF
she Legislature for the Improvement Of
the Court House. AMong other things
he would recommend rs deserving OF
their attention was the public school
system. 1t had almost entirely sup
planted the private schools, which were
our pride before it's introduction, and
they ought if possible TO be kept up t"
the highest standard. Being in the
hands of the State, the system should
have this same supervision aS other pub
lie matters. In 'O~rcrlonNinS the county
officials they should wore; to correct
evils, and not in an inquisilorial spirit.
When charges have been made against
officials. he suggested that it would be
best to notify them (the official$) Of the
specific charges, SO that they could be
prepared to meet them, and the grand
jury could investigate both sides Of the
matter. IL was the duty Of the grand
jury, as far as it W.. in their power, to
see that the avs for the peace and good
order Of snciety were enforced. There
were laws made for such objects which
did not enforce themselves. and if it
jury that they were violated, the parties
80 doing should he presented and the
witnesses named to prove the acts. The
annual reports Of the various county
officials would be in the hands Of the
Clerk, and it was the duty of the grand
jury to examine them and sec that they
were properly made out and the mounts
therein properly expended. He did not
lulnh IL ucCcSSdF} " charge LueHi Spe-
cially upon the several bills of indict-
mcnt which the Solicitor had handed
linn, further than to say that all the in
formation they wanted would be found
in the body Of the Indictment. 1t took
at least twelve of their body to present
a bill. The hours Of the Court would
be from 90 n. IN. until l u. M, and FROM
3 y. n. to some convenient hour.
The cases against j. L. Hodges and
". II. RANSOM, for official misconduct.
were nolle pressed by the Solicitor.
The grand jury returned true bills
in the following cases:
Stare rs. Granville Martin, Hampton
Martin, and Lyinus pinkney-ro,. State
vs.. John Wells-larceny Of live stock.
State ~. Wiley Grar-Stcaling grain
from the field. State vs.. D.. ". Lyon
selling liquor without n license. John
Wells pleaded guilty to larceny Of live
stock.
The Court then proceeded to Try the
case Of Granville Martin, ct nj anla jury
was organized with L Nj Godbolu rs fore
,4ar. McSSrS. Bcnet, Gnry. and w. \.
<iraydon appeared Tor the prisoners.
The jury rendered Il verdict Of not
guilty.
Pending the trial Of Joel.W. .Ethiridgc,
Ter obtaining goods under false ]pretcnscs,
the court All uurncd.. g.,